This performance was released on the Preiser label a quarter of a century ago. There are no stage noises and no applause at the ends of acts so I'm going to assume this was a radio performance which might account for its musical excellence and tame dramatic atmosphere. C

Set Svanholm was 50 years old when he sang this performance; except for some tightness on top you'd never guess it. He never wobbles or bellows, his tone is admirably steady and strong. He doesn't do anything very original or memorable, but his vocal competence is very appreciated. Sigurd Björling actually nabs the dramatic focus from him whenever they're on stage together. He has to duck the high As in the drinking song, but he has a viable trill which he employs whenever Verdi asks him to (a number of more famous Iagos don't bother). Nordmo-Lövberg sings with sweet, lovely tone as Desdemona. She floats a beautiful A-flat at the end of the "Ave Maria". Like Svanholm, she does nothing particularly individual with the role nor does she bother to scream where Verdi asked her to in the last act. The Lodovico has a bit of a wobble, but the other singers are all very good. Incidentally the Rodrigo, Gösta Björling, was the brother of the world famous Jussi and the Emilia, Bette Björling, was an American mezzo who married one of the Björling brothers. It's all in the family, folks.Sixten Ehrling leads an effective performance. The sound is excellent with a few very small caveats. The opening brass arpeggio has gone missing and the act begins with the cymbal crash. There are extremely brief dropouts lasting about 2-3 seconds one per act. I don't recall whether or not they were on the Preiser set. Otello goes well in Swedish; all fans of the opera will enjoy this.

interesting and effective interpretation of Verdi's masterpiece